ST. GEORGE — Embers from a controlled burn smoldered for days before igniting into an active fire Saturday that spread through brush and vacant lots near a residential area in Colorado City, Arizona.
Just before 3 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to a brush fire near 245 E. Johnson Rd. in Colorado City after a resident reportedly burned weeds and brush from the area days earlier, Hildale/Colorado City Fire Chief Kevin Barlow said.
The man was clearing an area and burning weeds and brush in a lot where an old house once stood, Barlow said. The man believed he fully extinguished the controlled burn.
However, the fire smoldered over the last few days and with the heat and increasing winds the fire reignited, he said. The blaze overran two vacant lots until firefighters were able to bring it under control.
The debris from the old house that was previously torn down also fueled the blaze, Barlow said, which made the job of fighting it more difficult.
It is unknown whether a permit was obtained for the controlled burn, Barlow said, as the incident is still under investigation.
Firefighters extinguished the fire and were still on scene searching for hot spots and burning embers at the time of this report.
No injuries were reported.
Hildale/Colorado City Fire Department responded with three fire engines, a brush truck and a water tanker. Apple Valley Fire Department responded as well.
This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.
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I guess the “controlled burn” wasn’t really controlled.